Child&#39;s construction toy



June 26, 1956 M, METAL CHILDS CONSTRUCTION TOY Filed May 25, 1953 IN VEN TOR. MART/IV MET/7A M m M United States atent CHILDS CONSTRUCTION TOY Martin Metal, Sausalito, (Jaiif.

Application May 25, 1953, Serial No. 356,945

4 Claims. (Cl. 46-31) This invention relates to a childs construction toy and more particularly -to a full scale toy having building elements which are adapted to be made to a size approximating that of a child so that the child experiences a realism not possible with small scale construction toys wherein the constructed product is only a fraction of the size of the prototype to be built.

Prior art construction toys for children have, for the most part, comprised extremely small scale elements which, when assembled in the approved manner, result in a small scale article. Psychologically, such small scale toys do not fulfill the childs desire for realism and tend to become stale after a short period of use.

Furthermore the manual dexterity that such toys should be designed to promote extends usually only to the use of the fingers, or at most the hands, and not to the arms, 'legs and the body in general.

Another shortcoming usually present in construction toys thus far manufactured lies in the fact that only one or,'at best, several predetermined objects are adapted to be constructed and the child is not encouraged to use his imagination to devise other objects.

The main object of the present invention is therefore the provision of a childs construction toy which overcomes the above mentioned disadvantages.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a relatively inexpensive construction toy which is educational, healthful and safe in use and which is adapted to be constructed of elements about the size of a child so as to achieve a realistic pastime.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a childs construction toy which is relatively light and rugged and adapted to be handled by children of all ages.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a childs construction toy which is adapted to stimulate the imagination by permitting the child to build an unlimited number of objects.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a childs toy which may be formed almost entirely from a single rectangular sheet of rigid material such a plywood, thus making the manufacture of the toy relatively simple.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following specification and from the drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a standard size rectangular sheet of plywood showing the manner in which the same is cut to form the toy.

Figure 2 is a plan view of a pair of construction members showing the same separated but in their proper relative position with reference to the blank from which they are formed.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one object assembled by using the construction elements.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of another object constructed by the invention.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of still another construction.

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Figure 6 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a pair of members releasably secured together.

In detail, and with reference to Figure 1, the toy is adapted to be cut from a planar rectangular sheet of material, preferably plywood, generally designated 1 and comprising a pair of parallel side edges 2, 3 and a pair of and edges 4, 5. Inasmuch as plywood is sold in a standard size measuring 4' 0" by 8' 0" this is the preferable size and material to use.

The sheet 1 is cut along lines 6 to form a plurality of isoceles triangles as indicated so that adjacent triangles are arranged with their bases along the opposite side edges 2, 3. This results in a minimum of waste and for a 4' 0 x 8' 0" rectangle provides seven triangular members 4' 0" high with a 2 0 base. A smaller size sheet may be used to provide less parts.

Each triangle may then be out into two members as shown in Figure 2. Member 7 is substantially the shape of the triangle cut from sheet 1 and comprises a pair of relatively long side edges 8, 9 which extend convergently to form an acute angle apex 10.

The side of member 7 opposite apex 10 is cut away in the shape of a reentrant angle along the lines 11 in Fig. 1 to form a pair of sides 12, 13 extending convergently to an obtuse angle (Fig. 2). The member 15 is removed in this manner from the original triangle and comprises a pair of side edges 16, 17 which extend convergently to form an obtuse angle apex 18. The side 19 of member 15 opposite the apex 13 is straight.

By way of example, I have found that the depth of member 15, that is, one perpendicular distance between apex 18 and side edge 19 is preferably about six inches for a four foot high member 7.

The junctures 20, 21 of side edges 8 and 12 and 9 and 13 of member 7 may be rounded as indicated in Figure 2 to provide a smooth surface. Likewise the apex 10 of member 7 is preferably rounded as are the junctures 22, 23 of side edges 16, 19 and 17, 19 of member 15.

From Figure 2 it is seen that the member 7 is symmetrical about a central axis through apex 10 and the apex formed by sides 12, 13. Likewise the member 15 is symmetrical about an axis representing one perpendicular bisector of side 19 which, of course, bisects apex 18.

Extending inwardly of member 7 from the apex of the angle defined by sides 12, 13 is a slot 25 which coincides with the central axis of member 7 hereinbefore described.

Along the side edge 8 of member 7 are a plurality of slots 26 which extend from said side edge 8 in a direction at right angles to the central axis of member 7 for a purpose to be described. About three such slots 26 are all that are required.

Along the opposite side edge 9 of member 7 are a plurality of circular holes 27 which are spaced inwardly of said side edge 9 but closely adjacent thereto.

From Figure 3 it will be apparent that the slots 25, 26 permit several members 7 to be detachably secured together, it being understood that two members 7 are positioned so that the distance D (Figure 6) is equal to twice the depth of the slots 25, 26. By making said slots about 2" deep an extremely rugged structure is effected very simply and without the aid of any extraneous connecting elements.

The holes 27 permit the use of standard elongated wooden rods 30, 31 (Figures 3-5) for connecting a pair of members 7 in spaced relationship.

Referring to Figure 5 it is seen that a wheelbarrow may be simulated by use of the elements thus far described except that a pair of wheels 32 may, in addition be provided.

Such wheels 32 may be cut from the original sheet by using the small triangular end portions 33, 34 left in sheet 1 when the triangles hereinbefore described have been cut. In addition, smaller wheels 35, 36 may be produc'ed frompieccs 33, 34 so that the actual waste is practically nil.

The structure of Figure may be readily converted to simulate a four-wheel truck by inserting wheelsE35-on the ends of the rod 51 which extend between the apexes of the members 7. This isrnerely one example of the flexibility of the toy.

The ladder-like structure of Figure 4 incorporates the smaller triangular members as rungs in which case the wheels 32, 35 are merely decorative. .However in this connection it should be noted that the junctures 2-0, 21 of members 7 provide an extremely stable base for the structure, which stability would be lacking if members 15 were not removed from the original triangular shape. in addition the structure of Figure 4 may be erected on relatively soft ground in which case stability is improved because of the presence of junctures 20, 21.

The above specifically described examples are not to be taken as restrictive of the invention as an unlimited number. of diiferent types of structures will suggest themselves to the average child.

The present invention may be used either indoors or outdoors and will not become stale even after long periods of use.

7 Educators have foundthe toy to be extremely helpful as indicating the progress and imagination of the child who uses'it. Inasmuch as assembly of the various structures is speedily performed reactions from the use of the toy are readily obtained without tedious and time cons'uming tests. Children of different age groups will tend to construct dilferent types of structures thus providing helpful information as to their intelligence.

N'o supervision is required when even small children use the toy because injury is practically impossible the elements being relatively light thoughstrong and rugged.

Rough usage will not impair the operability of the toy andthe same is not damaged even though used in water or mud.

It should be stressed againthat the elements employed are, in size, of about the same order as the size of a child so that a desirable realism is obtained. The finished articles are us'uable and need not be delicately handled to be appreciated.

The detailed description herein made is not to be considered restrictive of the invention as it is obvious that various minor changes in design may be effected without departing from the spirit of the invention.

. I claim: H 1. 'In a childs construction toy, a generally triangular planar member of'relatively thin sheet material havinga necting element for releasably interlocking such element and said member together, the remaining side edge of said member defining a reentrant angle having a pair of sides, the junctures'of said last mentioned sides and said side edges defining a pair of outwardly extending projections.

2. in a childs construction toy a generally triangular planar member of relatively thin sheet material having a pair of equal relatively long side edges extending conplanar member of relatively thin sheetmaterial having a pair of equal relatively long side edges extending convergently relative to each other to form an acute angle apex, the side of said member opposite said apex being formed to a reentrant angle having an obtuse angle ape-X with said member being substantially symmetrical about a central axis through said apexes, said member being formed along one of said sideedges-withopenings adapted to be engaged by a connecting element for releasably interconnecting such element and said member, said openings comprising outwardly opening slots extending inwardly of said member in a direction generally transversely of said axis. V

4. In a childs construction toy a generally triangula planar member of relatively thin sheet material having a pair of equal relatively long side edges extending convergently relative to each other to form an acute angle apex, the side of said member opposite said apex'being formed to a reentrant angle having an obtuse angle apex with said member being-substantially symmetrical about a central axis through said apexes, said member being.

formed along one of said side edges With openings adapted to be engaged by a connecting element for releasably in- V terconnecting such element and said member, a'se'cond planar member substantially the shape'of said reentrant angle and adapted to be cut from said sheetrnaterial, said openings in said'first mentioned member comprising slots extending inwardly from said side edges and adaptedto receive saidsecond member. therein with the planes of said members in perpendicularly intersecting relationship,

References Cited in the fil e of this patent i UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,894,061 Sanders I. -Q Jan. 10, 1-933 2,414,716 Carson -Jan; 21, 1947 2,446,120 Wiswesser -July.'27.,.1 948 Groves u Feb. 23, 1 926 

